Behave
I’ve heard that word many times over the years directed at me. I’ve used that word with my children over the years as well. It’s meant to be a directive regarding my actions and activities. I must confess that I’ve ignored that directive a few times.
A few years ago, when studying God’s Word, it became clear that I can’t “behave” my way into heaven. Don’t mishear me – I’m not giving myself permission to do whatever I want and still call myself a Christ follower. I simply came to a new understanding about where my behavior comes from. Jesus spoke it clearly, but I didn’t comprehend it until a few years back. Check this out….
10 Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. “Listen,” he said, “and try to understand. 11 It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.”
17 “Anything you eat passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer. 18 But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. 19 For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. 20 These are what defile you. Eating with unwashed hands will never defile you.” (Matthew 15:10-11, 17-20 NLT)
Jesus blew the minds of His followers as well as the religious leaders. He dismantled an age-old tradition about hand washing. I know people today who care way more about the image they project that their heart where their true behavior comes from.
Behavior follows heart – it always has and always will. If I want to “behave”, then I start with my heart. All behavior is simply a reflection of what is going on deep in my heart. I am embarrassed about what the Lord sees there quite often. I have a ton of heart work to do so that my every day, walking around behavior honors Him.
Here’s my heart Lord by Casting Crowns.
Pressing On!
Dwayne